Everything You Need to Know About the 74HC04 IC in 2025

What is 74HC04?

The 74HC04 IC is a hex inverting buffer from the 74HC (High-Speed CMOS) logic family. It contains six independent inverters, each with one input and one output. This IC is designed to operate within a supply voltage range of 2.0V to 6.0V and provides low power consumption, thanks to its CMOS technology.

It is commonly used in digital circuits to invert logic signals and buffer inputs, ensuring proper voltage levels and signal integrity. With Schmitt trigger inputs for noise immunity, the 74HC04 is ideal for applications in consumer electronics, computers, and general-purpose logic systems. The IC is available in various package options, including SO-14 and TSSOP-14, and is RoHS compliant, making it environmentally friendly.

74HC04 Pinout Assignments

The 74HC04 typically comes in a 14-pin configuration, where each pin corresponds to a separate inverter. Pinout varies by package type but typically follows the standard CMOS logic layout.

Here’s a breakdown of the pinout:

1. Pin 1 (1A): Input for the first inverter.

2. Pin 2 (1Y): Output for the first inverter.

3. Pin 3 (2A): Input for the second inverter.

4. Pin 4 (2Y): Output for the second inverter.

5. Pin 5 (3A): Input for the third inverter.

6. Pin 6 (3Y): Output for the third inverter.

7. Pin 7 (GND): Ground connection.

8. Pin 8 (4Y): Output for the fourth inverter.

9. Pin 9 (4A): Input for the fourth inverter.

10. Pin 10 (5Y): Output for the fifth inverter.

11. Pin 11 (5A): Input for the fifth inverter.

12. Pin 12 (6Y): Output for the sixth inverter.

13. Pin 13 (6A): Input for the sixth inverter.

14. Pin 14 (Vcc): Power supply connection.

Each pair of pins (1A-1Y, 2A-2Y, etc.) corresponds to one inverter in the IC. The GND pin connects to the ground, and the Vcc pin connects to the positive supply voltage.

Features

• Wide Supply Voltage Range: Operates from 2.0V to 6.0V, allowing for versatile integration in various systems.

• Output Drive: Can source or sink 4mA at Vcc = 4.5V, making it suitable for driving other logic circuits or components.

• Low Power Consumption: CMOS technology ensures low power usage even during continuous operation.

• Schmitt Trigger Action: Provides noise immunity by incorporating Schmitt trigger inputs at all gates, enhancing signal integrity.

• ESD Protection:

• 200V (Machine Model: A115-A)

• 2000V (Human Body Model: A114-A)

• Exceeds 1000V (Charged Device Model: C101C)

• Package Options: Available in SO-14 and TSSOP-14 packages, offering flexibility in physical design choices.

• Lead-Free & RoHS Compliant: Fully compliant with environmental standards, ensuring it is safe and eco-friendly for manufacturing processes.

• Halogen and Antimony Free: Meets environmental requirements for "green" devices.

74HC04 Package Outline Dimensions

When introducing the 74HC04, it is important to understand its package dimensions for proper circuit board design. This IC is available in two common package types: SO-14 and TSSOP-14, which are suitable for different application requirements.

The dimensions of the SO-14 package are: height 1.47mm to 1.73mm, width 3.80mm to 3.99mm, length 8.53mm to 8.74mm, suitable for standard surface mount applications. The TSSOP-14 package is more compact and has a thinner design, suitable for applications that require a smaller size, with a size range of 4.30mm to 4.50mm in width and 4.90mm to 5.10mm in height.

The following figure shows the detailed dimension drawings of these two package types to help designers accurately select the appropriate package in PCB design.

Applications

The 74HC04 is used widely in general-purpose logic applications, such as:

• Computers and Networking: PCs, notebooks, netbooks, and computer peripherals like hard drives and optical drives (CD/DVD ROM).

• Consumer Electronics: TV, DVD players, DVRs, and set-top boxes.

• Other Digital Systems: For signal inversion and buffering in various digital applications.

Which 74HC04 manufacturer to choose?

The 74HC04 IC is a standard logic device that is produced by several well-known semiconductor manufacturers to meet different market and application requirements. Here are some of the major 74HC04 manufacturers:

1. Texas Instruments (TI): Provides high-quality logic chips that support a wide voltage range and reliability.

2. Nexperia: Focuses on the manufacturing of discrete semiconductors, logic ICs and MOSFETs, and the 74HC04 is one of its logic product lines.

3. ON Semiconductor (now renamed onsemi): Provides 74HC04 ICs for efficient power consumption and a wide range of applications.

4. STMicroelectronics (ST): A leading European semiconductor manufacturer that provides logic devices that meet international standards.

5. Toshiba: Known for its high-performance logic ICs, the 74HC04 is part of its CMOS product line.

6. Rohm Semiconductor: A leading Japanese semiconductor company that provides 74HC04 ICs with strong reliability.

7. Diodes Incorporated: Provides cost-effective logic ICs, including the 74HC04 series, for a variety of industrial and consumer electronics applications.

 

FAQs

1. What is the function of the 74HC04 IC?

• The 74HC04 is a hex inverting buffer IC, containing six independent inverters that perform the Boolean function Y = A, where A is the input and Y is the output.

2. What voltage range does the 74HC04 operate within?

• The 74HC04 operates with a supply voltage range from 2.0V to 6.0V, making it suitable for a wide range of applications.

3. Can the 74HC04 source or sink current?

• Yes, the 74HC04 can source or sink 4mA at a supply voltage of 4.5V, which allows it to drive other logic circuits or components.

4. What is the package type of the 74HC04?

• The 74HC04 is available in multiple package types, including SO-14 and TSSOP-14, both of which are suitable for surface-mount applications.

5. How does the 74HC04 handle noise?

• The 74HC04 features Schmitt trigger inputs, providing enhanced noise immunity, making it suitable for environments where signal integrity is important.